Folding table



(No Model.)

T. A. BUNCH.

FOLDING TABLE.

No. 346,145, A Patented July 27, 1886.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. BUNCE, OF BERLIN, CONNECTICUT.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 346,145, dated July 27.1886.

Application filed October 13, 1884. Serial No. 145,321.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS A. Button, of Berlin, in the county ofHartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Folding Tables, of which the following is aspecification.

Figure 1 is a bottom View of a folding table embodying my improvements,showing the legs folded. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, showing thetable with the legs extended, so as to support the table in posit-ionfor use. Fig. 3 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through thecenter of the table on plane denoted by linexx of Fig. 1. Fig. 4is alongitudinal sectional view ofa table-top provided with a modified formof spring-bar,- this View being taken on a line corresponding with mm,Fig. 1

My invention relates to that class of tables having legs that may befolded up against the under side of the table, when desired, and whichlegs are also adjustable to permit it to stand at different heights.

Theinvention consistsin acertain improved construction, which will behereinafter particularly set forth, and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter (t denotes the top of thetable, which may be of any desired shape or material; I), a pair oflegs, each pivotally connected to the table, as to the cleat 0, fast toits under side near one end; (1, another pair, that are pivoted to theCrossrod 6, that joins the legs of the pair b, so that these pairs oflegs when extended cross each other and pivot on this rod 6.

To the under side of the top a and extending, preferably, along thecenter of the table a ratehet-bar, f, is attached in such manner as toleave a space between the upper side of the bar and the under side ofthe table. The

bar is provided with ratchet-teeth f on its under side, and the end ofthe bar at this outer end is movable on a guide pin or screw, g, in avertical plane and pressed downward by a spring, 9, interposed betweenthe table and the said bar. This downward pressure of the (No model.)

bar may be obtained from the bar itself by securing it to the table atthe inner end in such manner as to make it point at a considerable anglefrom the plane of the top, and then holding the outer end by theguide-loop 5 depending from the under side of the table, as shown inFig. 4.

Between the upper end of the inner pair of legs, (2, a slide, h, ispivoted, and this slide moves on the ratchetbar f, which is grasped byit in any convenient manner that will prevent displacement, as bypassing the bar through a mortise, h, in the slide. On each side of theslide at thelower edges of the mortise the stop-plates 7f form thestops, against which any two adjacent teeth of the bar strike, to holdthe slide and the legs from moving under any weight or pressure on thetable-top.

The method of operating my device will be readily understood by anexamination of the drawings. The inner and shorter pair of legs foldwithin the longer, so as to lie flat upon the under side of the table,as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the slide moving freely upon the ratchet-bar,and when the legs are extended so as to support the table-top in ahorizontal position convenient for use, the legs are held at the desiredangle by the hold of the vertical faces of the ratchet-teeth against thestopplates on the slide.

I claim as my invention- The herein-described improved folding tablecomprising a top, a ratchet-bar having the teeth upon its under side andheld normally away from the table-top, a stop to limit the movementofthe said bar away from the table-top, a pair of legs, I], pivoted tosaid top, a pair of legs, d, pivoted to the legs b, and a slide havingsuitable stops pivoted to the legs (1, moving upon said bar and engagingthe teeth upon the under side of the same, all substantially as setforth.

THOMAS A. BUNCE.

Vitnesses:

E. H. MEIGs, R. W. MoRsE.

